Total Money Makeover

Book Reviews ~ Financial Self

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

This book was referred to me by my amazing friend Enrique. He is someone that I look up to when it comes to financial information. He is always looking to better himself and always puts himself in a situation to succeed. So when he suggested that I read this book I immediately downloaded it and dove right in.

I am from the United States, so like many Americans, I am weighed down in debt. I not only have hefty student loans, but am also 'knee deep" in credit card debt. Nothing too serious, but more than I would like. I am also nearly 30 and have no money saved for retirement.

Enrique suggested that I read this book and not only that it will help get me out of debt, but to also live a more carefree and enjoyable life. Both of those things sounded great to me, so I was in. There are many things in this book that I could tell you about and I will share just a few with you, but since everyone's situation is a little bit different, you should read the book for yourself. You can also find out more by listening to his daily Radio Show. there is a station finder to find your local station that airs his show, you can listen directly online to the link above, or you can download his podcasts from the iTunes store.

What Dave Ramsey points out is that most Americans, including myself, live above their means. They buy things that they really can't quite afford. Dave refers to it as, "Keeping up with the Joneses". I have been a victim to this many times. In a world of instant gratification, people have lost their patience

In Chapter 3, Debt Myths, Dave says,"It is human nature to want it and to want it now; it is also a sign of immaturity. Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity. Debt is a means to obtain the "I want its" before we can afford it".

For us Christians, he also takes words from our holiest of books, the bible, and explains what God's views about debt. He shows obvious disdain for debt. Proverbs 22:7 "the rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender"

How true is that? I am currently a slave to my lenders. My first offering of money each month should be my tithing to God, but for the past couple years my first offering has been to my lenders. I have become a slave to them and must bend over backwards to pay them. I want to be free of those chains. I want to be able to not worry every month how I am going to pay my bills. 

Isn't that what everyone wants?

 Not many people are guided along their path and steered clear from financial pitfalls. Dave Ramsey has heard thousands and thousands of stories from people like us and has helped them come up with a plan. After reading this book, Catherine and I have come up with a plan. You can only succeed with your plan if everyone in your household is on board with it. You have to be willing to sacrifice the things you want now, for the things you want later. 

As Dave says, "You have to be willing to live today like no one does now, to live like no one does in the future". Meaning if you sacrifice now, eliminate debt, start investing, and worry about yourself. Don't look over your shoulder at the Jones's house. They have their own problems, and I am sure they would be the first to tell you about them.

Are you willing? My wife and I are. Make a plan. Stick to it. Stay focused on your future.

The Beauty Around You

Hi All,

For my first installment, all I really want to do is describe what I hope to do with this blog. I hope to be a source of inspiration for anyone who needs some encouragement in their lives. I was down in the dumps for a long time and then after meeting the love of my life, Catherine, I have slowly began to heal and finally turn into the man God meant me to be.

What most people don't realize is exactly how sad and depressed they really are. I don't have all the answers, but what I am finding out as I get older is that its never too late for a comeback. Anything and everything I am able to do is by the grace of God, and my wonderful wife.

As Step 1 in your life transformation, I suggest that you get up off the couch, drop the potato chips and get outside. There is so much out there for you to see. A subject I loved in University was Sociology (the study of people). I love to people watch, and not in a creepy way, just in a intriguing way. Go for a walk, if you are lucky enough to have mountains, go for a hike. For most of my Texas folks, we don't have that luxury. It's also really hot in Texas, so we have to find other ways around the heat.

There is beauty everywhere you go. You don't have to go to Colorado or Cape Town, South Africa to find it like I did.

There is just so much for you to see in this world. In 2009, I realized that the person that I had become was a shell of the man I was meant to be. I didn't know what to do and felt so lost. So when the opportunity to escape came, I jumped on it. I left behind the world I knew, to travel the world. Since then, I have seen and experienced a whole lifetime of memories in a mere 4 years. And this is just the start.

I have found Jesus to be my Lord and Savior, I have found my soulmate, I have traveled to many countries and experienced many cultures. These are just the main highlights though. There are so many things that I have learned along the way, and I hope that I can help to spread that knowledge among you people out there. I hope to be inspiration and food for your soul. Your Spiritual Soul, your physical soul, you financial soul, and your overall mental health. You are not alone out there. Are you... Sad? Lonely? Lost? Depressed? As Ben Franklin would say, "It is never too late to pick yourself up by your bootstraps". No matter how much of a mess you feel your life is, there is always a way out.

Check back when you are low, when you need some motivation, when you need to not feel alone out there. Let me be your shoulder. If you need advice about something, let me know. Sometimes the hardest thing is building the courage to change. You don't have to do it alone..... 

Bless You,

JD